Ish
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The element 'ish functions as a Hebrew prefix meaning 'man of' or 'men of', appearing in proper names such as Ish-bosheth, Ishhod, and Ish-tob to indicate the bearer's association with a specific group, deity, or attribute.
What is the meaning of Ish in the Bible?
The element 'ish functions as a Hebrew prefix meaning 'man of' or 'men of', appearing in proper names such as Ish-bosheth, Ishhod, and Ish-tob to indicate the bearer's association with a specific group, deity, or attribute.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing this prefix allows readers to decode the etymological meaning of biblical names, revealing how ancient Israelites identified individuals by their social roles, divine patronage, or collective affiliations.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Ish in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Ish clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.